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The SOAR Experience with Laurie Hawkins Often, life events will cause a shift in our path and will force us to take a look at the direction we are taking. Are you happy? Are you making a difference and how are you contributing? Most importantly, are you living your best life? To put things into context for you - Over a span of a couple years, we had great loss in my family. We had 17 deaths in our family - aunts, uncles, cousins, close friends of the family, my God mother and my father. It was during this period of great loss and sadness that some of these questions came to surface. My father was a great role model and positive influence in my life. He was a teacher, a lifelong learner and later in life became a Deacon in the Ukrainian Catholic church. His love of life, constant learning and his strong faith brought me to looking at my own dreams, personal goals and a search for my passion. My cousin Nadia was a creative, she was an interior decorator who had a great eye for fashion and colours and offered me many wonderful experiences that I am so very grateful for. She introduced me to the world of retail teaching me to run her gift store in Toronto and to appreciate each customer for their own style and unique gifts. She also taught me that confidence and individuality is one of the most powerful combinations that you can share with others, to help them see the beauty that lies within them. Each person who passed away left a different message and showed different admirable qualities. During my time of self exploration, I realized that I was doing a job that made me happy, I was not contributing as much as I would like to, and I wasn't living my best life. I have to add that I love my husband and my children with all my heart and would not change any of the memories with them, but it was my personal journey that was not fulfilling, I have been reading "Life is short - wear your party pants" by Loretta Laroche. The title alone, resonates with me as I would often "save" things for later or wait for the "right" time or a "special" time to use them. NOW is that time! I am making notes and will be able to pull a quote or 2 from this book that may resonate with the listeners. Everyone's path is different, we need to follow the path that is true to our hearts! Andrea Beatty is the Founder of Shoes Boots n’Bags. Andrea’s husband Michael, their teenage daughter Vanessa and son James also help with the business where they can from unpacking and pricing inventory, assisting with photo shoots and shoe parties, and attending trade shows. From Andrea...Simply put - I LOVE shoes! I have always been drawn to fashion and expressing myself through clothing and footwear. As a young girl, I would look at all the lovely ladies in their stylish outfits and be drawn to their shoes. I didn't have a preference, I liked them all. As an adult, I enjoy dressing with purpose in the trends but also incorporating my own style. Over the years I realized that as my weight would go up and down, my shoes always fit. Adding the shoes wasn’t a chore it was a fun way to add pizazz. I found it easier and more fun to shop for shoes so naturally, my collection grew. Accessorizing through footwear was a fun way to update my wardrobe and to stay young and current with the trends. I expanded my search for colour and styles and eventually I was looking for products that were unusual and different. Being a size 11 made finding the styles and colours I preferred more difficult so it was not always an easy search but the challenge was worth pursuing.” I achieved a French and English degree and have worked in various roles in retail, the promotional products industry, and in health care. I have a passion for shoes and purses and I am following a dream. After my father passed away 5 years ago, I realized that life passes by so quickly and can change in the blink of an eye. I want to share my love of fashion and to empower women to be strong and to find happiness in themselves by being the best they can be, and if that’s by wearing a great pair of shoes or sporting a beautiful purse then I am happy to have helped those women feel confident. I created Shoes Boots n’Bags to offer women a place to find footwear that is fun, unique, beautiful and of high-quality. After all, a well-made shoe with good quality leathers and suedes will give you a fabulous look but it will also bring you comfort and ultimately, happy feet. Aside from the perk of getting to try on all the beautiful shoes, one of my favourite parts of running the Shoes Boots n’Bags business is sourcing high quality, well-crafted products that are found from various countries around the world for reasonable prices.    andrea.beatty@shoesbootsnbags.com   https://shoesbootsnbags.com/ ~ More with The SOAR Experience with Laurie Hawkins ~ The world has become “intensely noisy”.  People everywhere are seeking insights and inspiration that will bring clarity, connection and congruency to their business and life. Does this resonate with you? Have you ever found yourself in this position? The SOAR Experience, with host Laurie Hawkins, will curate and cultivate the strategy+soul™ to guide you on a journey of discovering new perspectives, mind-shifts and possibilities. http://www.hawkinspired.com/ FB:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2081550052065336 Membership: https://soarexperience.com/memberships/ To get more of The SOAR Experience ~ Laurie Hawkins, be sure to visit the archives page for replays of all her shows here: https://www.inspiredchoicesnetwork.com/podcast/the-soar-experience-with-laurie-hawkins/